Custom Fitted Automobile Enclosure

ABSTRACT

A model specific custom-fitted water resistant fabric enclosure that drapes over the open rear hatch lid of an automobile thereby permitting users to sleep and/or sit in the back of their automobiles, utilizing the hatch lid as a roof and integrating with the existing automobile rain gutter system to harmlessly divert rain thereby eliminating the need for a separate rain fly and, due to its custom fit, avoiding infiltration of insects and wind, while also utilizing a large rear door that permits ingress/egress and allows use of the trunk area of the vehicle as general seating.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This nonprovisional utility patent application claims the benefit of provisional patent application No. 61/496,040 filed on Jun. 12, 2011, for the same invention for which this nonprovisional patent application is being filed.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Statement of Field of Endeavor: This invention pertains to a fabric enclosure that is integrated into the rear of an automobile to permit users to sleep comfortably in the back of their automobiles.

Classification/Subclassification: This invention may fit into the following patent classification/subclasses:

-   Class 135 (Tent, Canopy, Umbrella or Cane)     -   Subclass 87 (Portable Shelter, I.E., Tent or Canopy)         -   Subclass 88.13 (Tent supported by vehicle)             -   Subclass 88.14 (Carrier associated with roor or                 trunklid)                 -   Subclass 88.16 (Tent structure associated with roof                     or trunklid)

General Description/Unique Features/Problems Solved: The present invention is a fabric enclosure that attaches to the hatchback lid of an automobile with the following features: custom-fitted to the particular model of automobile, has a large rear entryway for access from back of vehicle, requires no poles, does not touch the ground, requires no tethers or staking to the ground, integrates with the automobile hatchback lid so that the lid acts as the roof thereby eliminating the need for a rain fly, hugs the contours of the specific automobile model preventing insects from gaining entrance, and integrates with the automobile's existing rain gutter system preventing rain from entering the automobile interior. This enclosure is designed to permit users to sleep in their automobiles and enter the tent at approximate waist height, rather than sleeping on the hard/dirty ground and having to get up and off the ground, which may be a limiting factor for older or arthritic campers. By integrating the enclosure into the automobile, the user can take advantage of, and avoid duplicating, amenities already in the car, such as lights, radio, heat (for hybrid vehicles) and storage. Because this enclosure is polyester or other lightweight tent fabric and requires no poles or other rigid structure, it stuffs into a small fabric sack compact enough to fit in an automobile glove compartment, greatly increasing its accessibility, availability and the user's ability to camp on a spontaneous basis.

PRIOR ART

There have been automobile and SUV enclosures made in the past, but they have been generic so they do not accomplish the above stated advantages of a custom-fitted tent. They do not utilize the hatchback as a roof or integrate with the existing guttering of the automobile. Some are limited to SUV's or pickup truck beds. Some require users to put together poles and other external supports such as staking and tethering. Some attach to the automobile but rest primarily on the ground like a conventional tent with conventional tent disadvantages.

Madofsky, U.S. Pat. No. 6,070,925, is an automobile tent, but utilizes a number of rigid support members, whereas the proposed invention requires no framework.

Burton, U.S. Pat. No. 5,820,189, likewise utilizes a rigid door and rigid framing members.

Straub, U.S. Pat. No. 4,504,049, is a tent system that employs a rigid extended foundation on the back of a van.

Whitely, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,220,369; 4,300,797; and 4,848,986, are tents made up of foldable rigid panels, whereas the proposed invention is made of fabric that can be compacted and stuffed into a compact stuff sack.

Roe, U.S. Pat. No. 5,226,689, is a tent that utilizes a rigid frame, whereas the proposed invention requires no superstructure.

Woodward, U.S. Pat. No. RE29,264, is a cloth tent. However, unlike the proposed invention, it is not custom-fitted, does not integrate with the automobile's rain guttering system and does not have rear entry access.

Thomas, U.S. Pat. No. 5,738,130, is a tent that attaches to an automobile, but principally rests on the ground and utilizes a frame superstructure.

Cargill, U.S. Pat. No. 6,481,784, is a rigid tent frame that rests on the back of a pickup truck, whereas the proposed invention requires no framework and is not intended for pickup trucks.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The general idea of the proposed invention is an enclosure that attaches to the rear of an automobile permitting the hatch of the automobile to remain open while preventing weather and elements to enter the automobile interior. This enclosure has a large rear door that permits ingress to the rear of the vehicle. With the rear seats tipped flat, sleeping bags and mattresses can be placed the rear of the vehicle allowing the user to use the rear of the automobile for sleeping. The enclosure is custom-fitted to each particular vehicle model to permit form fit, thereby keeping unwanted wind and insects out of the living area. The custom fit also integrates into the automobile's rain gutter system so that no rain fly is required and rain is harmlessly diverted into the automobile's existing rain gutters. The enclosure requires no poles and, being made in the preferred embodiment of polyester, nylon or other compressible tent fabric, can be compacted so small that it can store in a stuff sack that fits in the automobile glove compartment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

There are three line drawings and three black and white photographs all in PDF form that illustrate the invention.

Sheet 1 is a perspective view of the invention from a rear quarter view.

Sheet 2 is a perspective view of the invention from a front quarter view.

Sheet 3 is a perspective view of the invention with the rear door retracted showing how the vehicle is accessed and how sleeping arrangements are intended to be utilized in the automobile with the invention in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The invention is an enclosure that is made from water resistant polyester, nylon or similar compact non-mildewing water resistant fabric. The prototype utilizes 190 thread count, polyurethane coated polyester that can withstand a 1000 mm water column (190T, PU1000 polyester). However, siliconized nylon or other weights and treatments of water resistant fabrics could be utilized.

The enclosure is constructed in four panels. (Whenever the words “front” or “rear” are used in this specification, they refer to the direction of the front or rear of the automobile.) There is a rectangular panel of fabric that lies on top of the hatch lid when the hatch lid is open (hereinafter “front panel”). 1 at Sheet 1; 2 at Sheet 2. Underneath the front edge of the front panel is a piece of 1.5 inch webbing that runs the width of the hatch lid. 3 at Sheet 1 (note: this webbing is made visible and cross-hatched on Sheet 1 for illustrative purposes, but is actually on the underside of the front panel and not visible from above—it is drawn simply to show its location) This webbing is sewn along its length to the front edge of the front panel and sewn down at each end to form a long narrow pocket. 3 at Sheet 1. This pocket slips over the front edge of the hatch lid and keeps the enclosure from slipping backward on the vehicle. (The front edge configuration just described is for the Toyota Prius automobile. The attachment configuration of this pocket will require different size or materials depending on the shape of the front edge of the hatch lid).

The rear of the front panel attaches to a rectangular rear panel that hangs vertically from the rear lip of the hatch lid and hangs down to the lower part of the rear bumper. 4 at Sheet 2. There are two side panels that hang from opposite sides of the top panel and also attach to the sides of the rear panel. 5 at Sheet 1; 6 at Sheet 2. The panels are sewn to one another with taped seams. The panels are measured and designed to form fit the specific model of automobile for which utilized. This permits the enclosure to fit the contour of the automobile, keeping wind, insects and rain out of the living area of the automobile.

The enclosure utilizes no-see-um mosquito netting for side windows (7 at Sheet 1; 8 at Sheet 2) and rear door. 9 at Sheet 1. The side windows have zippered panels that allow the windows to be closed to control airflow. 10 at Sheet 2; 11 at Sheet 1. The rear panel has a large double two-way zippered/mosquito netted door that can be opened with the mosquito netting in place for sleeping in hot weather while keeping insects out of living quarters, or with both the polyester door panel and the mosquito netting open for access to and egress from the vehicle. 9 at Sheet 1;12 at Sheet 3. The top of the door has elastic tie-backs(13 at Sheet 3) that slip over wide toggles (14 at Sheet 3) to hold the door and/or mosquito netting open. The enclosure also utilizes nylon or plastic clips (15 at Sheet 2; 16, 17, 18 at Sheet 1; 23, 24 at Sheet 3) and ⅝ inch polyester webbing straps (19 at Sheet 2, 20, 21, 22 at Sheet 1; 24, 25 at Sheet 3) to affix the side and rear panels to the automobile. There is one adjustable strap/clip combination at the base of each of the side panels, and two straps/clips on each side of the bottom of the rear panel. These straps utilize nylon sliders (26, 27, 28 at Sheet 1; 29 at Sheet 2; 30, 31 at Sheet 3) making them easily adjustable, permitting easy installation, removal and adjustment of the enclosure. The size, length and location of the straps, clips and sliders may differ depending on the model of automobile for which the tent is designed. The straps/clips together with the front web pocket described hereinabove secure the enclosure on all sides of the automobile, keeping the enclosure snug against the surfaces of the car and preventing slippage or movement during windy conditions.

The open hatch lid (beneath front panel shown at 1 at Sheet 2 and 2 at Sheet 1) serves as a roof for the enclosure, so that rain hitting the fabric of the front panel overlying the hatch lid does not penetrate to the interior of the automobile. When rain hits the top surface of the front panel, it flows down the slope of the hatch lid (1 at Sheet 2) toward the gap at the front edge of the open hatch lid. With slight tension on the sides and back panels created by tightening the side and rear straps/clips, the webbing at the front of the front panel (3 at Sheet 2) deflects forward slightly, thereby bridging the gap at the front of the hatch lid when the lid is open. This prevents insects from entering the vehicle at the front of the enclosure. In addition, by having the front of the enclosure end at the front of the hatch lid, any rain that hits the top of the tent drains to the front edge of the enclosure, seeps through the water permeable webbing (3 at Sheet 2) and drains harmlessly into the existing rain guttering of the vehicle.

An optional blocking chock (32 at Sheet 3) could be attached to the pistons of the hatch lid to prevent the hatch lid from closing while the enclosure is in use, but this option is not necessary to the functionality of the invention. 

1. The invention is a fabric enclosure that slips over the open hatch lid of a hatchback type automobile permitting the vehicle operator to sleep and sit in the back of the vehicle.
 2. According to claim 1, the enclosure is fabricated from compactable and water resistant polyester, nylon or similar fabric or membrane material and requires no poles or superstructure so it can be packed into a stuff sack that is small enough to fit in the automobile's glove compartment for easy availability.
 3. According to claim 1, the enclosure covers the open hatch lid and drapes down the sides and back of the open hatch lid area thereby utilizing the hatch lid as a roof of the tent, so that rain hitting the roof drains to the front of the hatch lid where it drains harmlessly into the automobile's existing rain guttering. Likewise, rain drains down the sides and rear water resistant panels of the enclosure either draining off the side of the vehicle or again draining into the automobile's existing rain guttering, thereby eliminating the need, expense and bulk of a rain fly.
 4. According to claim 1, the enclosure requires no staking or tethering to the ground, utilizing a webbed pocket at the front of the enclosure to prevent the enclosure from slipping backward and adjustable straps/clips on the lower sides and back to secure the enclosure closely to the vehicle, thereby keeping the enclosure in place and preventing rain, insects and wind from infiltrating the automobile interior.
 5. According to claim 1, the enclosure utilizes a large mosquito netted rear door that permits ventilation and ingress/egress from the rear of the vehicle and, when the door is retracted, permits the bumper and trunk area to be utilized as a general seating area when not in use for sleeping.
 6. According to claim 1, the enclosure is custom designed for each model of automobile so it form fits the particular model car for which it is employed thereby insuring that the enclosure requires minimal fabric and follows closely the contour of the particular automobile model thereby preventing infiltration by unwanted wind, insects and rain.
 7. According to claim 1, an optional chock can be attached to the piston of the hatch lid to prevent the hatch from closing while the enclosure is in use, but is not expected to be necessary for the enclosure to function as intended. 